From the 'Well of the Retching Cure' to a commuter village on the M9 motorway

U.S. Passport Applications 1919

Included below is some genealogical information taken from two applications for U.S. passports where Paulstown is mentioned. The first is for John F. Martin whose father, Edward Martin, was born in Paulstown.[1] He applied on 9 May 1919. More documents were part of this application including an affidavit of identifying witness, a letter from the Knights of Columbus, an affidavit of birth and some letters from the War Department.

The second application came from Edward Vincent O’Rourke and was also made in 1919, on 3 October.[2] Edward’s father, William O’Rourke was born in Paulstown. This application also contained other documents. There was a letter from the Braden Copper company and an affidavit of birth where Anna O’Rourke is listed as Edward’s mother.

The italicized scrip shows where the applicant filled in information in his own handwriting. Text with a strikethrough was crossed out on the application.

John F. Martin

I John F. Martin a native and loyal citizen of the United States, hereby apply to the Dept. of State, at Washington, for a passport, accompanied by my wife.

I solemnly swear that I was born in De Pere in the state of Wisconsin, on or about the 15thday of March, 1868, that my father Edward Martin was born in Paulstown, Ireland and is now residing atdead, that he emigrated to the United States from the port of don’t know on or about 1848; that he resided 67 years uninterruptedly, in the United States from 1868 to 1915 at Utica NY for a few years and about 60 years at De Pere, Wn; that he was naturalized as a citizen of the United States before the Circuit Court at Brown County at Green Bay on Nov 4th 1856, as shown by the Certificate of Naturalization presented herewith; no certification on file only notation in record book

I am domiciled in the United States, my permanent residence being at Green Bay in the state of Wisconsin, where I follow the occupation of Lawyer; that I am about to go abroad temporarily; that I intend to return to the United States within 4 months with the purpose of residing and performing my duties of citizenship therein; and that I desire a passport for visiting the countries hereinafter names for the following purpose:

France Knights of Columbus War Relief Work

Great Britain En Route

I intend to leave the United States from the port of New York, NY sailing aboard the unknown. My last passport was obtained from I never had a passport

I Edward Vincent O’Rourke a native and loyal citizen of the United States, hereby apply to the Dept. of State, at Washington, for a passport.

I solemnly swear that I was born in Columbus in the state of Ohio, on or about the 5thday of September, 1895, that my father William O’Rourke was born in Paulstown, Co. Carlow, Ireland and is now residing atdead, that he emigrated to the United States from the port of Queenstown on or about 1882; that he resided 35 years uninterruptedly, in the United States from 1882 to 1917 at Columbus, Ohio; that he was naturalized as a citizen of the United States before the United States District Court at Ohio at Columbus on – 1 – , as shown by the Certificate of Naturalization presented herewith

I am domiciled in the United States, my permanent residence being at Columbus in the state of Ohio, where I follow the occupation of Engineer; that I am about to go abroad temporarily; that I intend to return to the United States within 3 years with the purpose of residing and performing my duties of citizenship therein; and that I desire a passport for visiting the countries hereinafter names for the following purpose:

Chile So. America Mining Engineering

I intend to leave the United States from the port of New York sailing aboard the -.